South Korean attacking midfielder Do Dong Hyun made the East Bengal fans rejoice at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday during his team's clash with arch-rivals and I-League champions Mohun Bagan in a Calcutta Football League (CFL) 2015 game.
The 21-year-old joined the Red-and-Gold brigade following the end of I-League 2015, and became an instant hit for his performances in the CFL for East Bengal. However, it's the derby that makes the career of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal players, and the two world-class freekicks on D-Day by Dong Hyun has already made him one of the East Bengal fan favourites.
The midfielder, who played in the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League with NorthEast United FC, used his left foot to perfection in scoring both the goals. Within the second minute of the game, Dong Hyun showed his class as he scored from way outside the box, and he followed it up with another in the 38th minute.
Following the match, the player said that he idolised the little magician from Argentina, Lionel Messi. "Well, my idol is Messi, I have been practising them [freekicks] in training everyday," the South Korean told reporters following the game, which East Bengal won 4-0.
"It was my first derby and I can't imagine that we scored four goals. We did what we wanted to do - that is play good attacking football and I am quite happy," Dong Hyun added.
Apart from Dong Hyun, Mohammed Rafique and Rahul Bheke scored later in the second half to clinch a sixth-successive CFL title for East Bengal.
Mohun Bagan will want to forget the game at the earliest as they were overwhelmed by their rivals in every department of the game, and were also reduced to nine men, following the dismissals of Dudu Omagbemi and Lalkamal Bhowmick.
Watch all the goals from the Kolkata Derby -
East Bengal (EB), despite bossing the Calcutta League for years and years, have failed to shine in the I-League – the premier domestic league of the country. However, this time, with a talented squad at his disposal, EB coach Bikash Bhattacharya says that they can be real challengers for the I-League title next season.
"[This was] one of the best performances I have seen from any of the teams I have coached, that is without a doubt," Bhattacharya said. "My next target is the I-League."
Dong Hyun said that performing in front of the 80,000 fans was a once-in-a-lifetime feeling, and the way the crowd chanted his name 'Dong, Dong, Dong' was memorable. And making his mark in the domestic league is what is in sights now. "My next target is the I-League. I want to win the domestic league with my side, and want to be the top scorer in the I-League," the South Korean told Bengali news channel 24Ghanta.
